Manchester United and Arsenal Handed Major Boost in Signing \'New Zidane\'

Manchester United and Arsenal have been handed a massive boost in their bids to sign Remy Cabella after Montpellier president Louis Nicollin admitted the midfielder could leave Ligue 1 next summer.

The 23-year-old has been a transfer target for the Premier League champions, while the Express reports the Gunners are also interested in signing the Frenchman. Cabella has been the star player for Montpellier and has attracted interest from top clubs across Europe.

The midfielder bagged five goals and seven assists in 31 league appearances last season. Cabella has also been impressive this season and has already scored five goals and has two assists to his name in 12 Ligue 1 appearances.

"I welcome the attitude of Remy, who has talked of leaving and who understood our position. He's a great player and there will be opportunities for him [to leave] next summer," Nicollin told Le10Sport.

"You would have to ask my son [deputy chairman of Montpellier, Laurent Nicollin] about transfers. I am not aware of anything. No, there was strong interest from OM [Marseille] last summer but we wanted to keep him."

Meanwhile, Montpellier manager Jean Fernandez had earlier admitted that should there be a bid of €18m from Davis Moyes' side for Cabella's signature, the Ligue 1 outfit would consider allowing their star player to leave the club.

"He is an intelligent boy who went to the season. Now, if the winter transfer window, Manchester gives €18 million, as I've read, he must go. Though quotation marks, you 'kill' the team, you cannot refuse," Montpellier manager told Reuters France.

Cabella has already expressed his desire to play in the Champions League and it all depends on how United and Arsenal finish this season. Arsene Wenger's side are enjoying a brilliant start to the season as they sit on top of the league table.

United, on the other hand, have had a difficult time since Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer.

Should United sign Cabella, it will bolster their attacking options. However, Moyes could face tough competition from Arsenal.